Hewlett Taberner Worrall

Rank:A.SeamanNumber:P/JX142444
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:Royal Navy
Name of Rgt or Ship:H.M.Submarine Undaunted
Died:13/05/1941Age:22
How Died:Killed at Sea
Country of burial:Lost at SeaGrave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Attended Seamons Moss School.   Member of Borough Rd Boys Brigade.

Joined the RN when he was 15 years old and originally served on the
aircraft carrier H.M.S. Courageous. In the spring of 1939 he volunteered
for submarines; he was to have sailed on the Submarine Thetis on her maiden
dive in Liverpool bay, planned for the 01/06/39.  However, a few hours
before it sailed, he was taken ill with appendicitis and had to be taken
off and sent to hospital.  Thetis went down with the loss of 99 crew and
representatives from Cammell Laird Shipyard.  On the 17/09/39 H.M.S.
Courageous was torpedoed and sunk by U-29.

Whilst on a 48 hour pass in March 1941, he married Miss Joan Leach from
Portsmouth.    

It was a case of third time unlucky, whilst serving on the submarine
H.M.Submarine Undaunted.  Undaunted sailed from Malta on the 01/05/41 for
her first Mediterranean patrol off the coast of Tripoli.  On the 12/05/41
an Italian aircraft sighted H.M.Submarine Undaunted off Zuara on the Libyan
coast and the Italian corvette Pegaso was detatched from a nearby convoy. 
At 20.80hrs Pegaso reported that she had undertaken a number of depth
charge attacks, although no wreckage was ever discovered, a large oil slick
was observed.   Although the attacks took place within Undaunted's patrol
area, she should not have been there at that time - she should have been on
her way back to Malta by then.   Apart from the possibility of her being
mined or lost by accident, there is no other explanation for her loss other
than from the Pegaso attacks.

Death reported in the 18/07/1941 edition of the Sale & Stretford Guardian. 
 Photo in the local newspaper.

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